I make this Baked Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe every December for game night, and my friends hover near the oven like seagulls at the boardwalk. You get buttery, crisp pastry with melty brie and tangy cranberry sauce perfect for holiday hosts, snack lovers, and last-minute entertainers and it all takes about 30 minutes.
Easy Baked Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
This Baked Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe nails contrast: flaky pastry, creamy brie, bright cranberry, and a whisper of rosemary. The bites bake fast, the ingredient list stays short, and the results taste like you fussed. You can swap sauces and toppings to match any crowd or pantry.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed but cold (store-bought shortcut; I like Pepperidge Farm or Trader Joe’s)
- 8 oz brie, rind on, cut into 24 small cubes (triple-cream brie melts extra lush)
- 3/4–1 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce (canned works great; homemade cranberry-orange sauce tastes fantastic)
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup, optional (for a glossy finish)
- 1 tsp orange zest, optional (adds citrus pop; microplane it)
- 2–3 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme, optional (or use a pinch of dried)
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, optional (adds crunch)
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tsp water, optional (quick egg wash for extra golden tops)
- Pinch flaky sea salt (finishes the bite)
Pantry swaps and notes:
- No puff pastry? Use crescent dough or phyllo sheets (stack 3 with butter/oil).
- No cranberry sauce? Use raspberry jam, fig jam, or hot pepper jelly.
Equipment:
- Mini muffin pan (24-cup)
- Rolling pin and sharp knife or pizza cutter
- Small spoon or cookie scoop
- Pastry brush (for egg wash)
Yield: about 24 bites.
How to Make Baked Cranberry Brie Bites
- Prep: 10 minutes
- Cook: 15–18 minutes
- Total: ~30 minutes
- Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan or line with parchment squares.
- Keep the puff pastry cold. Unfold it on a lightly floured surface and roll it just enough to smooth the seams.
- Cut the pastry into 24 squares. Press each square into the muffin cups, letting the corners stand up a bit.
- Add the brie. Drop one cube into each cup.
- Spoon in cranberry sauce (about 1–2 teaspoons per cup). Sprinkle on rosemary and nuts if using.
- Brush exposed pastry with egg wash if you want deeper color. Bake 15–18 minutes until the pastry puffs and turns golden and the cheese bubbles.
- Cool the pan on a rack for 5 minutes. Run a thin knife around the edges and lift the bites out.
- Drizzle with honey, dust with orange zest, and finish with a tiny pinch of flaky salt. Serve warm.
Expert Baking tips & Mistakes to Avoid
- Keep the dough cold so the pastry puffs high and flaky.
- Cut brie while cold; the rind helps it hold shape and melt evenly.
- Don’t overfill with sauce; 1–2 teaspoons per cup prevents spills.
- Score the pastry bottom with a fork if your cups puff too high in the center.
- Use a pizza cutter for fast, even pastry squares.
- Spray or butter the muffin cups well so the corners release cleanly.
- Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even browning.
- Let the bites rest 5 minutes before lifting to keep the cheese from oozing out.
- Freeze the brie for 10 minutes if it sticks to your knife.
- Skip the microwave for reheating; the oven keeps the pastry crisp.
Variations I’ve Tried
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free puff pastry or layered gluten-free phyllo.
- Vegan: Use plant-based puff pastry (many brands use oil) and a dairy-free brie-style cheese; swap honey for maple.
- Add-ins: Orange zest, a tiny slice of jalapeño, crisp bacon crumbles, candied pecans, a dab of fig jam, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze after baking.
How to Serve Baked Cranberry Brie Bites
Serve these bites warm on a platter with fresh rosemary, orange zest, and extra cranberry sauce. Pair with sparkling wine, pinot noir, hard cider, or a mocktail like cranberry-lime soda water. Add them to a cheese board with sliced apples, grapes, and salty prosciutto for a crowd-pleaser.
Make-Ahead and Storage
- Assemble and chill: Build the bites (no egg wash), cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bake straight from the fridge; add 1–2 minutes.
- Freeze unbaked: Freeze the assembled bites on a tray until firm, then bag them for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen at 400°F, adding 3–5 minutes.
- Freeze baked: Cool completely, then freeze up to 2 months. Reheat at 350°F for 8–10 minutes.
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3 days.
- Best reheat: Oven or air fryer at 325–350°F until hot and crisp. If you must use a microwave, heat for 15–20 seconds, then finish in a hot pan or toaster oven to re-crisp.
Nutrition Information
Calories: about 110 per bite. Protein: small (from brie). Carbs: moderate (pastry + cranberry sauce, includes sugars). Fat: moderate-to-high (butter in pastry + brie).
Baked Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Baked Cranberry Brie Bites are easy, festive appetizers featuring creamy brie and tangy cranberry sauce nestled in flaky pastry cups—perfect for holiday parties or gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a mini muffin tin.
- Roll out the thawed puff pastry and cut into 12 equal squares.
- Press each puff pastry square into a cup of the mini muffin tin, gently forming a cup.
- Place a cube of brie into each pastry cup.
- Top each with a spoonful of cranberry sauce.
- Sprinkle with chopped pecans and fresh thyme leaves if using.
- Bake for 13–15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and the cheese is melty.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving warm.
Notes
These bites are best served warm. Feel free to substitute pecans with walnuts, or omit the nuts for a nut-free option. Great for holiday entertaining and potlucks.